Member Article

Monastery flies flag for NW at national hospitality awards

The Monastery Manchester has again been shortlisted for three national hospitality industry awards making it the only Greater Manchester venue to be shortlisted in any category for this year’s prestigious Meeting and Incentive Travel Industry Awards 2014.

Current holder of UK’s Best Unusual Venue title, an accolade The Monastery has held for the past two years, it is the only North West entry to be shortlisted again for this category, and the only venue to be nominated in four consecutive years.

The Monastery is also shortlisted for Best Value for Money Conference Venue and Best Conference and Banqueting Staff, for which they won silver at last year’s event.

Edward Pugin, one of the leading architects of the day and whose father Augustus was the architect for the Houses of Parliament, was commissioned to design and build the imposing church and friary on Gorton Lane by the Franciscans in 1863.

Commenting on the nominations, Paul Griffiths, Chairman of The Monastery Manchester said: “The Monastery is the only venue to feature in the Best UK Unusual Venue finals for four consecutive years, and we hope to retain the title for a third time.

“Last year was remarkable for us. In our 150th year we had the honour of hosting Her Majesty The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh when they attended a private lunch in the Great Nave in November.

“We continue to welcome back a great deal of repeat business including the Radio Academy Awards, which have selected us for their national event for four consecutive years. It’s events like this that generate a total GVA (Gross Value Added) of £4.3 million into Manchester’s economy, indirectly supporting a great many jobs in and around the city.”

Lizzie Harwood, The Monastery’s Sales and Marketing Director said: “These are the Oscars of the conference sector so to be up for three for a second year running is just fantastic, especially as The Monastery represents the only venue in the North West in each of these categories.

“What makes these nominations particularly special is that they are voted by our clients, which means a lot. The awards are also independently audited so they really are a true mark of the best of the sector in each category.”

The M&IT Industry Awards ceremony will take place in London on 25 February 2014.

In addition to the 19 awards, which are voted for by industry peers and clients, there will be two special awards: M&IT Personality of the Year, nominated by the industry; and the Access Excellence Award, decided by a panel of accessibility experts.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .